Oval Battery Orientation for Hearing Device Profile Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-the-ear hearing devices struggle to efficiently use space within the ear canal, leading to protrusion and visibility, which can result in stigma and inefficient component placement due to their circular battery design and perpendicular orientation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an oval-shaped battery positioned at an angle between 10 to 25 degrees relative to the faceplate, allowing for deeper insertion into the ear canal and optimized component placement, eliminating the need for a battery door and hinge, and enabling a reduced profile and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular battery is used with perpendicular component orientation, then the hearing device can be manufactured with standard components, but the device protrudes from the ear and draws visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the battery from a conventional circular shape to an oval shape, and by orienting components at non-perpendicular angles (specifically 30-60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis). This asymmetric configuration allows the device to fit more naturally within the ear canal contours, reducing protrusion and improving comfort while maintaining manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces angular orientation as a new dimension for component placement. Instead of arranging components in a traditional perpendicular layout, the battery and other components are positioned at oblique angles (30-60 degrees), utilizing the third spatial dimension more effectively to reduce the device's lateral profile and improve ear canal integration
2Device complexity
If components are positioned perpendicular to the faceplate, then the assembly process is simplified, but the device uses space inefficiently and protrudes from the ear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the component orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The battery and other components can be positioned at varying angles (30-60 degrees) depending on the specific ear canal geometry and device configuration needs, allowing optimization of space utilization without significantly increasing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter from the conventional 90 degrees to an oblique range of 30-60 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. This parameter change fundamentally alters how space is utilized within the device housing, enabling more compact integration of components and reduced protrusion while maintaining straightforward assembly procedures
3Ease of operation
If the battery door and hinge are included, then battery access is enabled, but the device width increases and protrusion is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the battery door and hinge mechanisms from the device design. Instead of providing a mechanical access pathway, the battery is designed to be accessible through alternative means (such as magnetic release or tool-free access from the rear), eliminating the protruding door structure entirely and reducing the device's lateral dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional battery access approach by providing access from the rear or through the housing rather than through a protruding front door. This reversal of the access methodology eliminates the need for a battery door and hinge, allowing the device profile to be minimized while maintaining battery replaceability
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology generally relates to a hearing device positioned partially or completely within an ear canal. In some implementations, the hearing device is an ITE with an oval-shaped or elongated battery, where the battery is positioned at an angle relative to a faceplate of the ITE. The hearing device can be a rechargeable, where the rechargeable battery is positioned (e.g., titled) between at an angle between 10 to 25 degrees relative to the faceplate of the ITE. In some implementations, the faceplate of the ITE is configured to enable the battery to pivot or adjust its angle such that the battery position can be adjusted to use space more efficiently. In some implementations, the battery 220 has a long axis, where the long axis is longer than any other battery axis, and the long axis extends from the faceplate at a non-perpendicular angle (e.g., 10 to 35 degrees).